Vehicle-spring



(N Model.)

J. KENGEL. VEHICLE SPRING.

Patented June 5,1883.

' 'NITED STATES- JOSEPH KENGEL, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

PATENT OFFICE.

VEHICLE-SPRING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 278,971, dated June 5,1883.

Application filed April 5, 1883. (No model.)

T all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J osEPH KENGEL, of Detroit, county of IVayne, Stateof Michigan, have invented a new and useful Improvement inVehicle-Springs; and I declare the following to bea full, clear, andexact description of the same, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had totheaceompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

' My invention consists in the combination of devices and applianceshereinafter specified, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of a device embodying myinvention. Fig. 2 is a separate view of one of the parts. Fig. 3 is anend elevation. Fig. 4 is an inverted plan view.

My invention relates to vehicle-springs, and is adapted either for lightcarriages or for platform-wagons.

The object of my invention is to provide improved side springs whichshall be suitably connected to the running-gear of the vehicle, the bodyand cross-springs underneath the body, dispensing with side bars, theconstrue tion being such as to produce an easy-riding vehicle. Iaccomplish this object as follows:

In the drawings, A represents the body 5 B, the front axle; B, the rearaxle. O and 0 represent ordinary cross-springs imderneath the body. D isthe head-block on the forward axle. E and E are cross-braces underneaththe body intermediate of its length. F represents a side spring ofsuitable shape, its ends connected in any suitable manner to thecrossbrace E and to the head-block. Said spring is also suitablyconnected intermediate of its length to the cross-spring C. F is asimilar side spring, connected to the cross-bar E and to the rear axle.It is also connected intermediate of its length to the cross-spring C,said springs O and 0 preferably semi-elliptic in form. I prefer toconstruct these side springs, F and F, in such a manner that the endsmay be connected to the-head-block and the axle at two points, as shownat f and f, said springs being divided at the frontand rear end,respectively, for this purpose, as shown atf and f in order that theymay have this double connection which serves to steady the axles and toprevent their turning. I may make these connections of the side springswith the other parts named in any suitable manner, either solid or loose-as, for instance, by shackles or clip-boltsthough I would have itunderstood that I do not limit myself to any particular method of makingsuch connections. I would also have it understood that instead ofconnecting the double ends of the side springs to the head-b1ock andaxle upon the top and bottom of the same, as

show-n, these connections may be made on either sideof the head-block oraxle, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. The upper portion of thedouble end might be connected to the rear of the head-block and theunder portion to the front of the head-block, or vice versa. Aconnection of the rear side springs may be made with the axle in ananalogous manner, if desired. In such a construction the bedplateordinarily used upon the rear axle may be dispensed with, although Icontemplate the connection of the rear side springs with a rearbed-plate secured upon the rear axle as coming within the scope of myinvention. I prefer that said side springs, F and F, should have themiddle portion convexed upward. The head-block may be constructed ofmetal or wood, as may be desired. It is obvious also that thecross-braces E and E may be dis pensed with, as it is evident that theinward ends of the springs may be bent inward and connected directly tothe body without the use of the crossbar-s. In the use of the crossbarsthey may be extended beyond the body to a desired length, as shown inFigs. 3 and 4.

Additional springs, G, similar to the side springs, F and F, may belocated beneath the front and rear of the body intermediate of itssides, the extremities of said springs being eontoth v body. Saidsprings may also be connected intermediate of their lengt 1 to thecross-springs C and G. vThese springs G may be employed when greaterstrength in the springs is desired. In lighter vehicles they maybedispensed with. It will be seen, more over, that the rumiing-gear, beingconnected with the body by the springs in the manner described, theordinary reach may alsobe dispensed with, although it may be used, if

' nected with the head-block and rear axle and Y the springs in such amanner that it may work down between the springs F and F on either side,said springs being located out from the body, or said side springs maybe 10- eated beneath the body. H is the rub-iron, located between thecross-braces E and E. Should said braces be dispensed with, the rubironmay be constructed solid with one of the side springs. In this manner itis evident that very light vehicles may be constructed, as the rearbed-plate, the side bars, and the reach may all be dispensed with, andthe cost of production be propoitionately diminished without diminishingthe strength or elasticity of the vehicle. Likewise, the sameconstruction of springs may be used with heavy vehicles when desired.

\Vhat I claim is- 1. In a vehicle, the combination, with the head-blockand rear axle, of a front and rear pair of side springs, having a doubleconnection therewith at one extremity and secured to the body of thevehicle at the other ex-' tremity, and in -conneetion therewith frontand rear cross-springs underneath the body connected with the sidesprings intermediate of their length, substantially as described.

2. In a vehicle, the combination, with the front head-block and rearaxle, 0f a pair of front and rear side springs, having adoubleconnection therewith at one extremity, and secured to the body of thevehicle at the other extremity, front and rear cross-springs underneaththe body, secured at their extremities to the side springs intermediateof their length, and, in connectiontherewith, front and rearlongitudinal springs, G, connected with the'body of the vehicle and withthe front head-block and rear axle intermediate of their length,substantially as described.

3. In a vehicle, the combination, with the body, provided withcross-braces E and E, and afront head-block and rear axle, of a pair offront and rear side springs, having a double connection with saidhead-block and axle at one extremity, and secured to said crossbraces atthe other extremity, and, in conneetion therewith, front and rearcross-springs connected at their extremities with the side springsintermediate of their length, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification in the presence of twowitnesses.

JOSEPH KENGEL.

\Vitnesses:

N. S. \VRIGHT, A. E. ING-LIS.

